28/02/2024

The mother of James and John is one of the few voices that come out of the "multitude" that surrounds Jesus and the Apostles. The typical voice is asking for a cure either for themselves or a relative. The mother of the "Sons of Thunder", however, is asking for power to be given to the "fruits of her womb". There is nothing spiritual about her request. She wants her sons to be "top dog" in the only sort of kingdom that she can envisage, an Empire in the here and now.

The prophets of the Old Testament were all of them expected to reveal the greatness of IAMIAM in this world and they made no proclamations about life of the world to come. The "milk and honey" had to be now and thus it was so. Even today Theologians can still make a living by discussing whether the Chosen People had a concept of "soul", spiritual life, or not.

The Resurrection overcomes all the mysteries of the Old Testament and the First Fathers built up their understanding of Jesus' message by searching the scriptures which had shaped the Apostles devotion to IAMIAM in such a way that Jesus' "Follow me" did not promote an argument but rather instant obedience.

Of course, we do not know whether the events in this mornings' Gospel reading really do follow the timeline recorded by Matthew. If they do, we have to ask ourselves how anyone could ask to be part of the "Kingdom" foretold by Jesus. We are told elsewhere that the Apostles could not understand what Jesus could mean by "rising from the dead".  

Today, Jesus' has informed his followers that they will be going to Jerusalem where he " will be handed over to the Chief Priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the pagans to be mocked, scourged and crucified and on the third day he will rise again". 

The only human who could seek out to follow this road is the Son of God, Jesus, the only Son, begotten not made, born of the Father before time began, God from God, Light from Light and he chooses to suffer in this world so that we can follow him not to worldly "thrones" in Cathedrals/ Palaces but to the Eternal Life that Father, Son and Holy Spirit offers to all of us if we choose to accept it.

Dear Lord, help me to become prayerful this day. I am helpless as a rag-doll and can only live when the Holy Spirit keeps the sparks of your Love smouldering within this carcass over which I have never had control and thus sinned in the grotesque ways that still trouble my conscience. You have taken away the sins of this world but the tiny speck that I am still knows that  what I have done wrong in my life has been by my choice. May the prayers of Mary and all the saints help me to grow strong in your love and may the Holy Spirit confirm that we should all, fathers and mothers, pray only for the gift of righteousness be given to all our children.